16 Killed in Stampedes for Jobs in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria — Officials and activists say at least 16 people died in stampedes when a half million people were invited to apply for fewer than 5,000 Nigerian government jobs.

The official News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday quoted Interior Minister Abba Moro as saying the 16 died in five locations around the country on Saturday. He said they "lost their lives through their impatience."

The Education Rights Campaign blamed his ministry for inviting more applicants than centers could accommodate.

It said 65,000 people were invited to the Abuja National Stadium that has a capacity for 60,000. Seven people died there.

The campaign said some 500,000 applicants were invited to apply for 4,556 vacancies at the Nigeria Immigration Service.